PC-NRLF 


,  ,   .  ,   .  •   •    n ;  .,  •  •  <-.i    ^tfqpqppgjfl 

E  mms 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIKT  OK 


Songs  of  the  Stars 

By 

Isaac  Rieman   Baxley 

Author    of 

'The  Temple  of  Alanthur,"   "The    Prophet," 

"Songs  of  the  Spirit,"   "Beyond  the 

Bank    of  Mist." 


or  THE 
UNIVERSITY 

OF 
»/ 


Pacific  Press   Publishing   Company 

Mountain  View,  California 

1904 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1904, 

BY  ISAAC  RIEMAN  BAXLEY 
Ju  the  office  of  the  librarian  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


DEDICATION 


To  whom? 
To  those  who  dwell   among  the   Stars,   and 

gaze 

Steadfast  at  us,  as  into  summer  nights, 
We  bring  our  lamp  of  glory,  and  always 
Stand    there    quiescent    in    the    summer's 
lights— 

To  them. 


CONTENTS 


Dedication 3 

The   Star 7 

The  Earth-Song 9 

The  Country  of  the   Star 12 

Farewell   of  the    Earth  to  Her  Sons 17 

The    Poets    Praising    Earth 21 

The  Singer .     .  22 

Song  of  the    Poet .  26 

The  Dream 30 

The  Dreamers 36 

The    Dream    Song 41 

Dancing  Stars 43 

Song  of  the  Islands  in   the    Sea 44 

Vox    Humana 50 

The   Vanished   Song 52 


t/NJVERSfTY 
or 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 


THE  STAR 


Because  my  seas  are  wide,  and  I 
Whirl  through   a  Planet-painted  sky, 
Because  I  dare  to  come  and  go 
Through  endlessness,  and  overflow 
Of  passion's  still  unfigured  glow; 
Because  the  eyes  of  men  shall  be 
But  where   I   take   them   carefully, 
The  fate  of  men  be  fixed,  and  cast 
Wherever  path  of  mine  is  passed, 
All-helpless  tenants  of  my  day 
Fade  as  my  figure  shrinks  away; 
Because  I  dance,  and  swim,  and  be 
What  all  men  cling  to  passionately- 
Upbraiding  in  their  jealousy; 
Because  I  bind  them  in  my  keep, 
And  hear  them  wail,  and  see  them  weep, 
And  still  with  heartless  vigor  run 
My  race  immortal  with  the  Sun, 
What  challenger  shall  rise  and  say 
The  Earth  is  fretful  on  her  way? 


8  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

I  laugh  when  comes  the  little  cry 

Of  trouble-mad  mortality: 

What!  shall  I  bear  thee,  and  invest 

My  body  for  thy  joy  and  zest; 

My  beauty  braid,  and  lips  declare 

For  thee  the  lullabies  of  air; 

My  potions  mix,  for  thee  distil 

Elixirs  the  starred  spaces  fill; 

Shall  I  with  tireless  footsteps  turn 

Round  the  vast  plains  where  planets  burn, 

Draw  past  the  brilliant  gazing  globes 

Of  intense  Suns  my  clouds  and  robes; 

Sustain  thee  when  the  unknown  gales 

Drive  into  Heavenly  climes  and  vales — 

Shall  I  do  this,  and  then  dare  be 

Rebellious  to  my  Sovereignty? 

Go  then ;  forsake  my  wayward  will ; 
If  thou'rt  a  conqueror,  go — fulfil 
In  some  far  Planet's  starry  eyes 
The  madness  of  thy  destinies. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

THE  EARTH-SONG 


Led  out  on  the  ripples  of  laughter  and  light 
I  am  Bride  of  the  Heavens,  and  my  Lord 
is  the  Sun; 

0  tell  me  not  other  ones  shine  in  his  sight, 

I  know  that  his  passion  possesses  but  one. 

1  know  that  he  burns,  that  his  eyes  are  con 

sumed 
With  a  longing  for  me,   that  the  tale  of 

his  days 
Is  warmed  with  the  breath  of  his  lips,  that 

perfumed 

Flies  out  to  my  bosom,   is  gathered   and 
stays. 

I   know  that  his   passion,   through   plentiful 

years, 
Did  beset  me,  I  know  that  the  storm  of  his 

heart 

Was  hot  in  the  flames  of  his  failures  and  fears 
To  break  through  the  distance,  and  draw 
me  apart. 

O  Lord  of  my  longing,  at  last  in  my  eyes 
Is  the  purple  of  passion;  O  Star  of  the  Day 


10  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

Forever  I  blush  when  the  wind  of  surprise 
Drives  the  curtain  of  darkness  that  cloaks 
thee  away. 

Forever  the  lilies  and  roses  arise 

Where  the  touch  of  thy  tenderness  pressed 

me  and  passed, 
Forever  the  face  of  the  Earth  justifies 

The  caress  of  caresses  on  her  heart  was  the 
last. 

No  Planet  I  fear,  for  I  braid  in  my  hair 
Their   delicate   lusters,    and   gleam  in   the 

gems 
Of  an  infinite   Heaven  as  one  who  walked 

there 

With  garments  that  gathered  the  Stars  to 
their  hems. 

And    the    Lord   of   my   conquest   is   leading 

me  on, 
Through  the  depths  of  the  midnight  and 

azure  of  day, 
Far  out  where  the   footsteps  of  other  Stars 

run, 

And  the  flash  of  their  circlings  breaks  out 
into  play. 


SONGS  OF  THE   STARS  II 

Where  the  Sisters  of  Heaven  revolve  in  their 

twains, 

And  the  dials  of  Heaven  point  over  the  true 
Unchangeable    grace   where    the    Planets    in 

plains 

Superbly  shine  out   for   their   consorts   to 
view. 

There  I  go,  and  never  my  Sovereign  denies, 
Inconstant,    his   presence,    as   planting   his 

feet 

Serenely  on  paths  of  his  far-reaching  eyes, 
He  watches  the  globes  where  they  glitter 
and  meet. 

The  gales  of  the  ether  blow  out  of  their  home, 

Delightful  we  float  into  space  and  away, 
O  Lord  of  my  loving,  where  thou  callest  I 

come, 

What  bond  hath  the  Earth  could  encom 
pass  her  stay! 


12  SONGS  OF  THE   STARS 

THE  COUNTRY  OF  THE  STAR 


And  still  my  dwellers  find  me  sweet, 
Still  follow  where  my  fearless  feet 
Find  footfall  into  vacant  ways 
That  my  bright  presence  first  betrays. 
Through  the  new  fields  of  days  to  be 
I  float  in  azure  subtlety, 
And,  with  the  instincts  of  a  maid, 
Through  Heaven  I  find  the  placid  shade, 
Hiding  a  face  delight  makes  fair, 
And  plunge  to  cool  its  gladness  there. 
The  words  of  many  a  distant  sphere 
Drift  into  time,  and  catch  my  ear, 
And  many  a  Sister  signals  me 
With  gesture  of  exposed  beauty 
Across  the  light  of  many  a  Sea. 
The  maids  of  Heaven  have  many  a  phase 
Of  radiance  in  their  sparkling  ways, 
And  many  a  Song  of  subtle  shade 
Is  in  the  Heavenly  meadows  played. 
In  globes  of  various  splendor  runs 
Th'  unequal  ardor  of  the  Suns; 
Resplendent  in  the  morning  air 
Flings  o'er  the  Stars  its  brilliant  glare 
The  face  of  him  who  wakes  to  dare. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  13 

I  on  that  glittering  ancestry 
Gaze  as  a  Goddess  equally; 
No  matter  what  delightful  air 
Fanned  from  the  glades  of  anywhere,— 
Blown  from  its  lair  of  loveliness, 
Witching  the  keep  of  lost  duress,— 
Flows  in  mysterious  breezes  where 
Some  figure  trails  her  wondrous  hair; 
No  matter  how  the  Stars  entwine 
Tiaras  where  their  signets  shine, 
And  circle  other  names  than  mine, 
Nor  if  the  Lord  of  some  lost  way 
Should  blaze  with  sudden  ecstasy, 
And  dash  the  ardor  of  his  eyes 
Where  some  slow  watcher  waiting  flies; 
Nor  matter  if  a  thousand  dyes 
Mix  where  the  light  impassioned  lies 
Upon  some  Planet  splendidly- 
Still  is  this  Heaven  a  home  for  me! 
O  what  resistless  sense  to  be 
Swung  like  a  signal  out  at  sea, 
No  dread  of  wave,  nor  gloom,  nor  gale, 
Nor  know  no  tumult  to  assail 
Angelic  wings  that  safely  cleave 
Whatever  winds  they  find  and  leave. 
Whatever  course  of  marvelous  Sun 


14  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

Down  the  swift  glades  of  Time  be  run, 

Whatever  answering  image  lies 

When  conquest  turns  his  burning  eyes, 

What  shape,  what  fragment,  what  decree 

Breaks  from  that  cloud  Eternity, 

All  is  of  them,  and  all  of  me. 

I  am  no  Star  to  wander  on 

Undone,  dissevered,  and  alone; 

Far  on  the  fringe  of  all  I  see 

Arranged  in  startling  panoply, 

Far  in  the  realms  where  grandeur  earns 

Wages  of  excellence,  and  burns 

Perfervid  in  the  glowing  urns;— 

FSLr  where  the  depths  of  many  dyes 

Flash  into  their  intricacies, 

And  far  wherever  newness  be 

Is  still  the  flame  that  floats  with  me. 

My  heart  is  as  a  beacon  lit, 

And  I,  impassioned,  look  from  it; 

I  love  the  Heavens  and  starry  eyes 

That  fathom  many  mysteries; 

I  love  the  Seas,  where  changing  swim 

Shadows  of  floating  seraphim, 

The  keen,  delicious  words  they  sing 

Thrill  through  myself  and  everything. 

Remember  that  we  Worlds  of  bliss 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  15 

Have  most  exquisite  consciousness; 
Children  of  pain  keep  many  sighs 
Surrounding  where  their  trouble  lies; 
Mortals  that  hovering  come  and  go 
Over  my  heart  in  ceaseless  flow- 
Forever  with  low-looking  eyes- 
Keep  not  our  splendid  sympathies. 
But  I,  I  yearn  for  every  Star 
In  all  the  Worlds  that  were  and  are. 
Where  are  the  dazzling  Worlds  that  swim 
With  beauty  bubbling  to  the  brim? 
Where  the  translucent  Globes  that  fly 
Through  airs  that  are  a  rhapsody, 
And  clouds  that  can  not  sink  and  die? 
Where  are  the  Seas  that  flash  and  foam 
On  confines  of  resplendent  home 
And,  vanquished,  beautiful  become? 
Where  are  the  Suns  suddenly  rise 
Bent  on  perfect  subtleties 
And  heat  of  every  new  emprise? 
Wherever  they,  my  heart  aware 
Of  all  that  makes  their  purpose  fair 
Throbs  with  forever  gazing  there! 

Like  a  sweet  Island,  swung  astream, 

I  float  in  Heaven,  where  pass  and  gleam 


1 6  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

Currents  and  cargoes  constantly, 

Swept  in  the  winds  of  melody. 

When  in  the  lull  of  things  I  rest, 

Curtained  and  couched,  a  favored  guest, 

And  midnight-stars  light  up  the  dream 

That  lies  in  shadow  out  between 

Th'  exquisite  things  that  are,  and  seem, 

O  then  the  passion  and  delight 

Of  a  pure  Planet  in  the  sight 

Of  Stars  whose  very  number  makes 

A  melody,  and  Time  that  takes 

Mysterious  look  of  Infinite— 

O  then  the  fate  of  Earth  is  fair, 

And  cool  the  clouds  that  keep  her  there! 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  17 

FAREWELL  OF  THE  EARTH 

TO  HER  SONS 


Toll  slow — toll  slow— 

O  let  the  chimes  go 
Far  out  from  my  heart  with  solemn  flow, 

For  the  days  of  the  Star 

Do  vanish,  and  are 

Where   slumber   and   silence   their   darkness 
bestow. 

For  the  bells  of  the  Heavens  are  hanging  in 

spheres 

That  toll  to  the  temper  of  sorrow  and  tears, 
For  the  Stars  of  the  Heavens  are  misty  with 

pain 
That  the  light  of  the  Earth  lies  low  in  the 

wane, 
And  the  Watchers  of  Heaven,  who  heard  as 

they  passed 
Call  her  name  where  forever  they  found  her 

at  last. 
On  they  fly  through  the  infinite  shadows  in 

vain, 

For  the  face  of  the  Earth  is  forgotten  again— 
And  the  Legend  of  Earth  sleeps  sound  with 

the  slain. 


1 8  SONGS  OF  THE   STARS 

Toll  low — toll  low — 

O  let  the  light  go 
With  lingering  looks  on  my  face  and  slow, 

For  the  colors  that  fade 

From  my  visage  were  made 
Where  the  beautiful  things  of  the  past  over 
flow. 

O  the  days  that  the  Earth  in  her  gladness 

sped  by 
Where  the  pathways  of  Heaven  are  fast  in 

the  sky, 
And  the  nights  when  the  Earth  went  aslum- 

bering  soon 
Because  of    the    fancies   that   fell    from   the 

Moon, 
And  the  dusk  of  her  changing,  the  dusk  and 

delay 
When  the  Songs  of  the  Sunset  swept  out  with 

the  day, 

And  the  voices  of  evening  in  tremor  became 
The  heralds  to  tell  all  the  Stars  of  her  name, 
O  the  conquest  of  Earth,  O  what  charm  had 

decay 
To   steal    all    the   strength   of   her   pleasures 

away. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  19 

But  swing  the  chimes  low, 

And  let  the  words  go 

With  the  slant  of  the  bells  that  are  heavy 
and  slow, 

For  the  bursts  of  my  sighs 

Where  these  sorrows  arise 
Shake   the  symbols  of  sadness   that  tremble 

to  know. 

There  were  voices  of  many  that  girdled  in 
pride 

All  the  zones  of  the  earth;  lo  the  Singers  all 
died; 

Lo  the  quest  of  the  happy,  and  the  things  of 
the  gay 

Dropped  out  into  darkness  and  echoed  away; 

They  have  gone;  whither  went  all  the  change 
able  throng 

That  once  claimed  the  Earth  with  their  con 
quest  and  song, 

Did  they  take  not  the  secret  to  me  did  belong? 

Did  they  lean  on  my  bosom,  luxurious  guest, 
And  steal  out  the  perfume  exhaled  from  my 

breast? 
Did  they  breathe  out  their  love  with  a  tumult 

of  sighs 


20  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

That  fell  with  the  darkness  of  rain  from  my 

eyes? 
While  I  slept  did  they  dally,  and  vanquish  the 

morn, 
Have  they  fled  with  my  favor,  and  laugh  they 

in  scorn — 
Is  the  Earth  all  alone — do  the  Stars  never 

mourn? 

Ring  low — ring  low — 

O  let  the  tones  go 
Out  into  the  ether  with  musical  flow, 

For  I  perish,  but  still 

Chance  melody  will 
Break  over  the  Heavens  to  let  the  Stars  know. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  21 

THE  POETS  PRAISING  EARTH 


My  Poets  people  Isles  of  Sea, 

And  walk  the  shores,  and  sing  to  me; 

They  watch  the  waters,  where  the  haze 

Falls  out  from  Heaven,  and  floating  stays, 

And,  with  ecstatic  fears  that  he 

Should  be  the  Singer  loved  of  me, 

Each  strikes  the  chords  he  keenest  plays. 

They  chant,  and  I,  begemmed  with  Song, 

Bear  the  blue  Islands  lightly  on, 

I  smooth  the  Sea,  and  bring  its  end 

Gently  to  them,  whose  songs  extend, 

And  space  floats  on,  and,  like  a  flower 

Dew-hung  with  passion's  passing  hour, 

I  quiver  with  suppressed  delight, 

Stirred  by  the  winds  that  choose  the  Night, 

And,  Music  making  time  in  me, 

I  brush  the  dewdrops  in  the  Sea, 

Too  happy  rise,  calling  the  Day, 

And  Songs  and  Singers  drift  away! 


22  SONGS  OF  THE   STARS 

THE  SINGER 


So,  from  my  caverns  in  the  air 

I  watched  him  when  he  stopped  and  sang; 
I  grasped  the  clouds  and  held  them  there, 

And  stole  the  music  while  it  rang. 

If  some  wild  Star  a  tremor  made 

I  stirred  the  clouds  and  hid  the  spark, 

While  the  swift  music  stronger  played 

I  shut  the  Heavens,  and  kept  them  dark. 

What  need  have  I  of  Singer  sweet, 
My  ears  are  dead  to  pipes  and  song, 

My  wish  is  where  the  distant  meet, 
And  vast  the  shades  where  I  belong. 

Do  I  stretch  on  the  clouds  and  dream, 

Tossed  in  the  tumult  of  the  air, 
To  hear  the  sound  of  some  small  theme 

Strike  on  the  apparitions  there? 

I  turned  the  shadow  of  my  eyes 

And  made  the  atmosphere  a  gloom, 

I  spread  my  robes  on  broken  skies, 

And  swept  them  to  their  midnight  home. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  23 

I  lashed  the  feeble  Moon  away 
And  scorned  her  crescent  flickering, 

I  choked  the  Wind-words  with  dismay 
And  asked  my  Singer  then  to  sing. 

And  when  his  lips,  with  sorrow  bent, 
Dropped  somber  singing,  plaintively, 

From  out  the  rhythm  as  it  went, 
I,  following,  snatched  the  melody. 

I  stole  the  beauty,   and  the  pain 
Rang  in  its  shapeless  manner  on; 

I  drew  the  dye  and  left  the  stain 
To  stamp  the  making  of  his  Song. 

Then  stood  he  still :  his  singing  sank 
To  senseless  words,  said  heavily, 

Still  with  the  thirst  of  rage  I  drank 
The  last  drop  of  its  harmony. 

And  still  I  tossed  the  music  back 
Behind  me,  to  some  summer  Isles, 

But  him  I  harassed  in  the  black 
Shadows  I  laid  in  long  defiles. 

O  it  was  joy  to  see  him  stand; 
I  have  a  thousand  men  to  lead. 


24  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

I  stormed  the  Heavens  from  land  to  land 
For  him,  and  whirled  the  winds  with  speed, 

With  wraiths  of  wrath  I  filled  the  dome 

Of  all  my  vault,  Immensity, 
I  shut  the  lights  about  my  home, 

And  smote  the  Singer  angrily. 

I  drove  the  Winds  that  wait  for  me 
Round  their  fierce  course  to  gather  in 

Old  echoes  I  had  kept  to  be 

Sounds  of  the  Songs  he  did  begin. 

With  scorn  I  scattered  them  below, 
They  fell  incessant,  like  the  rain 

Of  some  fresh  weeping,  and  did  grow, 
Watered  by  them,  the  sights  of  pain. 

I  left  him;  for  myself  repose 

Drew  from  the  Stars  he  could  not  see: 
I  slept  in  Heaven,  and  when  arose 

The  Sun,  misled  him  craftily. 

I  drew  the  glittering  Orb  away 

And  rolled  him  down  on  pleasant  plain, 

Content  was  at  the  bridle  way, 

And  beauty  drove  the  treacherous  twain. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  2$ 

I  gave  the  Sun  delight  and  ease, 
And  he,  the  wily  Monarch,  smiled 

And  slacked  the  pace,  and  took  the  peace, 
And  looked  not  for  his  lands  exiled. 

But  I  to  savage  brooding  turned, 
And  laid  my  hands  on  heavy  knees 

Till  the  low  clouds  with  rancor  churned 
Distempered  through  the  dripping  trees. 

There  is  a  terror  of  the  air, 

A  darkness  of  the  very  Orb, 
There  is  a  time  when  touch  is  where 

It  feels  a  frightened  silence  throb. 

And  he  was  there:  I  poured  the  dye 
Of  terrible  temper  on  the  world, 

And  tore  the  vestiges  of  sky 

From     the     scared     patches    where     they 
whirled. 

And  sat  me  down,  nearly  content; 

These  were  the  things  I  chose  to  give; 
Hark!  little  sound  that  shivering  went 

Away,  wast  thou  the  last  to  leave? 


26  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

SONG  OF  THE  POET 


Was  ever  my  Soul  on  the  swell  of  the  ether? 

And  did  it  descend  in  the  circle  of  Mars? 
O  why  on  my  lips  are  the  Songs  of  a  believer, 

And  why  through  my  brain  is  the  dance 
of  the  Stars? 

Was  it  I,  of  a  sudden,  from  somewhere  de 
scended, 

Who  fell,  as  a  Planet  unceasingly  swings, 
And  flies  with  her  magical  motion  extended, 
And  clings  with  her  feet  to  the  quivering 
strings? 

Ah!   never!    the   music   was    played   or  was 

spoken ; 

Went  into  the  drift  of  the  ether,  and  there 
Lies  out  on  the  edges  of  Heaven  all  broken, 
And  lies  on  my  lips  but  the  earth — and  de 
spair! 

But  the   magnets   of   Heaven,   ever  busy   in 

winding 

All  the  jewels  of  Heaven  in  glitter  and 
play, 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  2J 

Are  they  still?     O  why  will  they  never  be 

finding 

The  flash  of  the   Earth-Star   and  bear  it 
away? 

Away  and  away  with  the  wings  of  the  mid 
night, 
That  carry  the  Stars  when  their  musical 

rounds 

Flash  into  the  keys,  and  pull  them  in  delight 
Out  over  the  ether  in  exquisite  sounds. 

For  the  world  is  fast,  and  it  swings  and  swings 
And     seeks     for     the     sensitive,     quivering 

strings — 
And  almost  stops  till  the  melody  rings. 

Be  still!    I  am  a  Poet  mad; 

With  tongue  of  torment,  and  a  name 

Struck  from  the  World  it  should  have  had, 

And  doubt,  and  wretchedness,  and  flame 

Of  hatred  for  the  things  that  give 

Delight  to  people  where  I  live. 

With  heart  of  Song,  and  lips  that  bleed 

Because  they  tear  the  terrible  weed 

Of  rottenness,  and  bitter,  sad 

Are  all  the  sounds  I  ever  had. 


28  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

Why  can  I  never  stop  and  tear 

The  thing  within  that's  always  there 

And  hurl  it  out  into  the  air? 

If  with  a  savage  World  I  stood 

Once  in  a  savage  solitude; 

Once  never  heard  within  my  heart 

Mysterious  music  plays  its  part; 

Knew  that  I  was  a  crime  within, 

And  heard  my  lips  their  tales  begin; 

O  if  I  could  look  out  and  see 

The  World  in  storm,  and  then  in  me 

Heard  the  same  sound  of  misery— 

If  once  the  lyre  snapped  in  my  heart, 

0  could  my  lips  then  learn  their  part? 

1  hate  to  be  something  within 
That  is  as  gentle  as  a  Star 
Dipped  where  the  sea  and  air  begin, 
That  will  not  move  from  where  they  are, 
That  keeps  by  Heaven  and  keeps  by  land 
And  is  what  Angels  understand— 

And  then  with  level  lips  that  close 
Determined  over  all  that  flows 
From  some  imagined  World  to  me, 
Stand  in  a  vexed  World  sullenly— 
And  vex  it  still  with  obstinacy. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  29 

I  am  a  Poet  mad,  with  tongue 

That  knows  the  speech  of  Heaven,  and  smote 

Last  night  in  Heaven,  as  Angels  sung 

The  secrets  of  my  lips,  and  wrote 

Words  on  the  echoes  of  their  air, 

And  was,  O  bliss,  a  Poet  there! 

It  was  the  sounds  of  slumbering, 
This  is  the  World,  I  can  not  sing: 
There's  nothing  overhead,  the  Sky 
Gleams  with  a  rancorous  subtlety; 
There's  not  a  Star  dares  gird  its  dance, 
No  Planet  springs  her  bold  entrance, 
Shame  on  their  faces!  they  refuse! 
Could  Beauty  ever  give  excuse? 
Ah!  Wind  and  Cloud,  I  know  where  none, 
Not  even  you,  will  dare  to  come, 
A  gulf  that  lies  stretched  openly- 
Refusing  nothing — O  the  Sea! 
My  heart  sinks  with  its  sounds  in  thee! 

But   the   World   floats   on,    and   swings    and 
swings, 

And  waits  for  the  silver  sound  of  the  strings— 
And  my  Heart  holds  tight,  and  to  it  clings. 


30  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

I  wept,  and  the  soft  rain  of  tears 

Washed  through  the  darkness  at  my  feet, 
And  he,  the  passionate  Singer,  hears 

My  heart-throbs  in  their  hurried  beat. 

Slowly  the  burdened  clouds  I  break 
In  pieces,  and,  with  pallid  face, 

One  after  one  of  the  Stars  I  take 
And  burnish  in  its  glittering  place. 


THE  DREAM 


It  may  be  that  the  things  that  live 

By  some  exceeding  subtle  Star 

Swept  to  the  Planet  where  I  stayed, 

And  drew  me,  with  words  they  made 

Over  a  new  unfinished  bar, 

Out  to  their  homes,  where  Music  hung 

In  air — and  down  the  Stars  distinctly  rung. 

Or  was  it  that  a  Spirit  dyed 
The  mists  of  morn,  and  overlaid 
The  edge  of  Earth,  and  rolled  the  tide 
For  once  as  other  Worlds  were  made? 
And  broke  the  sequence  of  the  Sea, 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  31 

And  jarred  the  air  with  mystic  time, 
And  while  it  scattering  came,  he  played 
The  Songs  of  Stars  and  gave  them  me  ? 

Stars  where  the  cloud-heaps  float  in  foam 

Of  some  peculiar  light  that  will 

But  scintillate,  and  keep  its  own 

Expression  and  its  movement  still; 

Where  clouds  love  music,  and  exist 

Stretched  sensitive  upon  the  air, 

And  things  no  Song  of  ours  would  dare 

From  out  the  lips  of  Singers  flow, 

And  float  in  Heaven,  and  from  them  go — 

0  tell  me,  was  it  into  these 
Extremely  furnished  harmonies 

I  strayed, 

And  listened  while  the  music  played — 
Or  even  did  I  hear  it  here 
Sound  in  the  Earth's  real  atmosphere? 

1  know  that  Singers  stretch  their  strings 
In  dews  of  morn,  and  from  the  night 
Splash  out  their  liquid  murmurings, 
And  dip  their  fingers  in  delight 
Through  the  cool  things  of  Earth,  and  fling, 
There  in  the  coming  of  the  Day, 

What  words  he  loves  and  bears  awray. 


32  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

I  know  that  ears  are  ever  tuned 

To  catch  the  sonnets  of  the  Sun, 

And  lips  are  begging  nights  that  mooned 

Full-figured,  waver  in  replies 

Fantastic  things  to  following  eyes — 

And  he  who  sings  exactly  these 

Is  Poet — with  his  mysteries. 

What  care  I  though  the  Gates  of  Day, 
Swift  moving  with  their  golden  bars 
Thrown  wide  on  roads  that  bear  way 
The  Night,  and  Moon  and  thousand  Stars- 
And  there  reflecting  in  the  Sun 
Stand  opening  wide  to  every  one- 
Should  never  pass  me,  and  I  lay 
Shut  in  by  night,  and  dawn,  and  day. 
What  care  I  if  the  Sentinel 
Should  never  know  me,  as,  aflame 
With  touches  of  the  hastening  Stars, 
And  flying  skirt  of  desperate  Moon, 
He  draws  too  close  the  Day  and  soon; 
Nor  care  I  though  his  glorious  eyes, 
Forever  glittering  in  pursuit 
Of  him  who  trails  the  dew-damp  foot, 
Should  sweep  me  with  their  vivid  stare, 
And  find  me  strange,  and  leave  me  there. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  33 

If  I  must  barken  as  they  go, 
The  things  that  make  me  love  them  so, 
And  watch  them,  when  their  fluttering  hands 
Make  signet  of  the  signs  they  know 
To  pass  him  where  he  nodding  stands, 
The  strange  old  Ward  of  Earth  and  Lands ; — 
If  I  must  catch  the  words  of  tune 
The  Stars  sing  in  the  ring  of  Moon, 
To  charm  him  as  they  drift  away 
The  thousandth  time  in  face  of  Day, 
And  with  no  trace  themselves,  betray; — 
The  thousandth  time  if  I  must  say 
Whatever  words  they're  answering, 
Words  of  the  kind  he  seems  to  know, 
To  please  him  ere  he  let  me  go — 
Forgive  him  that  did  keep  me  so — 
And  smite  the  lips  he  says  shall  flow, — 
Then  through  the  shadows  of  the  deep 
Sweep  on,  ye  Stars,  and  let  me  keep 
Unhappy  watch  through  Gates  of  Day 
While  ye,  ye  Wanderers,  steal  away. 

Sometime  some  Maid  of  Heavenly  race, 
Too  eager  for  the  purple  deep, 
With  laugh  of  parting,  and  a  pace 
That  speeds  with  print  of  fluttering  feet 


34  SONGS  OF  THE   STARS 

The  edge  of  Morn,  shall  delicate 
Entangle  with  the  speech  she  gives 
A  word  of  Heaven,  and  I  by  fate 
Shall  catch  the  country  where  she  lives. 
And  then,  because  I  find  out  where 

A  path  is  in  the  Clouds,  and  when 
Delight  is  summering  through  the  air 
With  Stars  that  hide  themselves,  and  then, 
Far  from  the  fretful  eyes  of  Day, 
Disrobe  and  in  the  darkness  play,— 
Ah!  then,  perhaps  if  I  should  be 
Chanced  with  th'  impulsive  company 
That  press  the  gates  and  throng  the  ways 
Again  where  the  old  Warder  stays, 
And  looks  and  wonders  while  the  Sun 
Keeps  panting  with  the  path  he's  on, 
Ah!  then,  perchance  because  my  lips 
Have  really  breathed  the  midnight  sky, 
And  touched  the  faintest  cloud  that  tips 
The  fluttering  Moon  as  she  goes  by, 
It  might  be  that  delight  would  make 
My  memory  willing,  and  I  say 
The  common  words  he  loves  to  take 
When  out  he  swings  the  Gates  of  Day. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  3$ 

Keep  on,  ye  Singers,  who  divide 

The  quarters  of  the  Earth,  and  string 

Content  your  chords,  and  play  beside 

The  ways  the  World  is  wandering, 

Shall  I  be  with  you,  or  away 

Risk  in  the  shapes  of  Sky  and  Cloud 

The  strangeness  of  my  Songs,  and  stay 

Far  from  the  courts  where  listeners  crowd 

In  circles  where  the  Poets  play? 

None  answer:  and  I  can  not  hear, 

When  with  a  desperate,  struggling  wing 

I  fan  my  Songs,  and  they  appear 

Lost  in  the  mighty  murmuring 

That  clouds  the  roads  from  Star  to  Star — 

Can  only  see  them  fade,  and  far 

Toss  through  the  depths  where  terrors  are. 

It  is  my  secret,  and — afraid 

To  settle  when  your  wings  of  peace 

Rest  where  the  Earth  has  shores  of  ease, 

And  where  the  Pipes  of  Songs  have  played 

So  long  the  very  Seas  are  said 

To  sing  the  sands  into  a  tune— 

I  shall,  with  shadow  of  the  Moon, 

And  swift-winged  Stars  in  fiery  bands, 


36  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

Vanish  from  where  he  always  stands — 
That  strange  old  Ward  of  Earth  and  Lands- 
Clamoring  for  words  he  understands. 


THE  DREAMERS 

My  love,  why  should  we  test  the  Earth? 

Why  Folly  bind  us,  and  we  cling 
Atempering  on  the  edge  of  Mirth? 

Thou  are  not  kind  in  answering. 

Why  not?  The  Stars  are  very  near, 
And  we  so  lightly  stationed  wait, 

Come,  shall  we  venture?  Is  it  fear, 
Or  loving,  keeps  thee  hesitate? 

It  is  not  I  exacts  delay, 

And  thou,  'tis  marvelous  to  me 

Feeling  thy  form  in  the  Earth-winds  sway, 
For  the  dead  Earth  is  strange  to  thee. 

There  are  no  airs  around  us  near, 
Hist  thee,  my  Love,  lo  everything 

Falls  from  the  Stars,  and  faintly  here 
Drops  from  the  Stars  their  questioning. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  37 

Lo,  all  the  gentle  things  have  gone, 
The  flutes  have  flown,  ah!  why  not  we? 

The  Poets  sang,  and,  one  by  one, 
Paced  from  the  groves  of  Arcady. 

Look  in  their  dead  aisles  through  the  breeze., 

There's  echo  only,  and  decay 
Stirs  all  the  stoppage  of  the  trees 

To  blot  the  feet  that  went  away. 

See!  'tis  the  treachery  of  the  Sun 
To  steal  his  touches  on  the  eyes 

Of  stark  dead  marbles,  and  to  run 
His  fingers  through  infirmities. 

Ah!  when  he's  finished  with  the  face 
Of  Beauty,  see  how  cold  she  lies, 

Her  wet  cheek  moulded  into  place, 
That  Earth  should  show  her  agonies. 

And  still  thou'rt  constant?    Here  I  chide 
And  all  th'  unhappy  signets  show, 

And  yon  the  Stars  arise  and  glide 
In  safety,  and  in  pleasure  glow. 

Yon  are  the  Stars,  and  they  go  thronging, 
And  we  are  here,  with  feet  astill, 


38  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

And  watch  them  pass,  and  they  go  longing, 
And  their  old  paths  they  upward  filL 

Tis  I — my  fault — myself  alone — 

So  little,  and  dispassionate; 
My  Song  is  only  undertone, 

Thou  wantest — I,  unable,  wait. 

Can  I  not  change  thee?  Never  yield 
Thee  music  that  will  move  thy  feet? 

And  never  take  thee  where  the  field 
Of  midnight  will  the  music  meet? 

Come  Love :  the  winds  of  ancient  nights 
Strike  on  the  Earth,  and  rise,  and  flow 

Mixed  with  still  ancienter  delights 

That  struggle  from  their  memory  slow. 

Like  an  intense,  mysterious  air 
That  startles,  and  becalms  again, 

The  households  of  the  Planets  there 
Open  their  doors,  and  close,  and  then — 

We  look  and  listen  in  the  dark, 

And  they,  invisibly  within, 
Stand  in  their  homes,  and  but  the  spark 

Of  answer  glowrs  where  they  had  been. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  39 

And  so  they  cherish,  and  deceive, 

And  do  forget  when  we  would  know; 

And  yet,  O  Love,  before  they  leave, 
This  is  the  air  with  them  will  go. 

They  spread  their  hands,  and  move  and  stay, 
Finding  the  steps  that  thread  the  clouds; 

They  stop,  and  vanish,  and  delay, 
And  stand  intent  in  splendid  crowds. 

See  how  their  burdened  figures  climb, 

Slowly  with  waiting,  overhead, 
And  then,  like  words  that  catch  the  rhyme, 

Rush  out,  in  faster  music  led. 

We  can  not  keep  them :  still  they  come, 
Refreshed  from  some  unknown  descent, 

And  pale  with  longing  far  from  home, 

And  dazzled  when  they  homewards  went 

There  is  the  movement  of  their  gait, 
See,  shall  we  hasten  and  entwine 

Our  garments  round  the  Winds  that  wait 
Impatient  where  the  Stars  decline? 

Lo,  every  ripple  of  the  Sea 

Runs  o'er  the  brink,  and  goes  away, 


40  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

Slips  from  its  sleepless  bed,  and  we, 
Also  awake,  gaze  on,  and  stay. 

Look!     Every  name  of  Passion's  there, 

And  every  glory  that  the  Sun 
Saw  done  in  any  summer  air 

Died  out  the  road  the  Stars  are  on! 

And  we  remain:  and  still  the  Day 
Unseals  his  record  from  the  Night, 

And  scatters,  like  an  heir,  away 

His  testament  the  Stars  did  write: — 

And  all  the  riches  hoarded  by 

Dishonored  fade,  and  he,  the  Sun, 

Reels  up  a  flaring  edge  of  sky 

And  we — O  Love,  we've  gone!  we've  gone! 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  41 

THE  DREAM  SONG 


At  last,  at  last, 
With  wing  in  the  wind, 

And  wind  in  the  depths  of  Heaven, 
And  face  in  the  flash  of  the  Stars  as  they 

passed, 

And  eyes  where  the  Stars  are  Seven ; 
At  last  where  the  Moon,  with  its  silver  sphere, 
Swings  swift  round  the  Earth,  and  flies  so  near 
I  laugh  lest  the  men  in  the  World  should  see 
The  cold  white  Globe  come  threateningly. 

At  last  on  the  edge  of  the  purple  dark 

The  whirl  of  my  wings  is  free, 
And  I  chase  at  my  will  a  great  white  spark 

That  always  appeared  to  me 
Like  a  flame  cast  into  the  Sky,  and  kept 

By  something  invisibly: 
Fast,  fast  through  the  lights,  and  the  shadows 

and  rain 
Of  the  Star-drops  that  disappear  out  in  the 

plain 
I  vanish,  and  faster  forever  I  gain. 


42  SONGS  OF  THE   STARS 

My  love  and  myself  at  last  in  the  Sky 
And  its  passionate  sights  of  intensity; 
For  I  pant  and  I  palpitate  thinking  of  when 
I  stood  on  the  Earth  and  looked  up  at  the 

Sky, 
And  sighed  for  the  beautiful  Stars,  that  were 

then 

Dissevered  and  far  in  their  mystery: 
O  the  trouble,  and  passion,  and  tears  of  the 

Day 

That  spotted  the  Earth,  in  its  dust  of  decay, 
That   fiercely   drank    down   of   my   sorrows 

alway: 
But  I  live  by  the  Stars,  and  they  flame  and 

they  fade 

Wherever  my  quest  of  desire  is  made, 
And  never,  since  them,  am  I  lost  or  afraid. 

But  the  Love  of  the  Stars!    O  the  atmosphere 
They  kept  from  the  Earth,  and  concealed 

in  the  Sky! 

When  I  loved  on  the  Earth,  my  love  was  dear, 
And  the  kiss  of  the  Earth  was  an  alchemy; 
But  the  Stars,  O  the  luminous  Stars  are  where 
Love's  never  afraid,  for  his  vesture  there 
Will  the  lips  never  weave  what  the  heart  will 
not  wear. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  43 

DANCING  STARS 


I  know  not  where,  I  know  not  where 

The  Earth  is  round,  and  still 
The  Stars  will  love  the  midnight  air, 

And  sparkling  dance  their  fill; 
I  know  not  where  they  glide  away, 

Nor  how  they  pass  the  Sea, 
And  come  again  when  tired  Day 

Asks  for  their  melody. 

I  know  not  how  their  sweet  embrace 

Is  constant,  and  how  true 
Each  sees  at  morn  the  lovely  face 

At  eve  each  lover  knew; 
I  know  not  how  they  whirl  and  float 

So  surely  through  the  Sky, 
And  never  lose  a  moment's  note 

In  all  the  minstrelsy. 

I  can  not  tell,  and  know  not  whose 

Eyes  are  enchanted  there, 
Nor  how  the  magic  maidens  choose 

Their  steps  into  the  air; 
I  only  know  that  weary  lies 


44  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

The  daring  of  the  Sun, 
Who  murmurs  while  the  wave  replies — 
And  still  the  Stars  dance  on! 


SONG  OF  THE  ISLANDS  IN  THE  SEA 

Shine  on,  you  Stars,  but  know  that  we 

Are  still  the  Islands  in  the  Sea; 

We  know  you  while  you  rise  and  bound 

From  the  dead  underworld,  and  round 

Swift  Heaven  whirl  on  impatiently, 

Searching  the  Seas  and  shores  where  we 

Appearing  keep  serenity. 

We  are  the  Islands  of  the  Sea 

To  sing  you  still  forever  home 

When  you  revisit  us,  and  come 

From  out  the  dreadful  underdome 

With  shadows  on  your  slumbering  eyes, 

And  open  them  into  our  skies. 

Here  we  await  on  conquered  Seas, 

Stretched  under  clouds  that  float  like  these, 

And  here  in  quiet  caverns  shine 

Our  faces,  and  those  eyes  of  thine. 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  45 

Deep  where  the  land  lies  under  Sea 
The  eyes  of  love  pierce  ardently: 
Who  were  the  lovers  would  not  meet 
In  thoughts  that  tangle  up  the  feet? 
And  whose  the  lip  tastes  not  the  rose 
On  lips,  that  from  the  bosom  grows? 

We  are  the  Islands  of  the  Sea, 
And  sound  the  World  with  melody: 
Why  is  it  that  there  always  stand 
Listening  ashore  along  the  land 
Poets,  who  strive  to  catch  the  glee 
That  breaks  adrift  from  Isles  of  Sea. 
We  are  the  Queens  of  Song,  who  keep 
Courts  on  the  circuits  of  the  deep, 
And  if  our  Songs  should  ever  be 
Sung  harsh,  we  send  them  over  Sea, 
There,  rippling  scattered  o'er  the  wave, 
They  sweeter  come  than  when  we  gave. 

The  old,  deep  Sea  draws  down  the  weight 
Of  sadness,  and  on  palpitate 
The  rhythms  of  our  unknown  air 
To  land,  and  find  the  listeners  there. 

As  the  swift  Stars  within  the  tide 
Of  Heaven  astream,  we  Islands  glide 


46  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

Voluptuous  leagues  of  rounded  Seas 
Caressed  when  Love  can  keenest  please: 
When  Dawn  is  young,  and  shyly  breaks 
We  lie  await  till  rose-lip  takes, 
And  when  adark  the  water  steals 
The  Sea-Isle  thrills  and  conquest  feels: 
O  wind  and  blossom,  Sun  and  smile, 
You  reach  us  first  on  far-hung  Isle, 
And  still  whatever  Music  strays 
Away,  the  sweetest  ever  stays. 

Why  is  it  that  the  palms  decline 
Softer  a-sea  than  shore,  are  thine? 
Why  is  it  that  the  fervid  deep 
Refused  our  blossoming  selves  to  keep, 
And,  burst  on  struggles  of  the  tide, 
We  rose  to  Heaven,  and  lightly  ride? 
Kept  on  the  compass  of  the  Sea 
We  never  know  monotony, 
For  cloud  and  Sun,  and  hungered  breeze 
Blow  ever  through  our  floating  trees, 
And  ever,  thirsting  deep  the  taste 
Of  flowers,  for  us  the  Sea-winds  haste. 

We  are  the  Islands  of  the  Sun, 
The  sweetest  ever  dreamed  upon; 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  47 

For  Seas  can  dream,  and  lying  there 
With  all  the  midnight  on  the  air, 
With  all  the  Stars  so  very  still, 
And  all  the  clouds  at  rest,  until 
There's  nothing  that  could  hear  a  Song — 
The  waves  in  slumbering  slip  along. 
We  are  the  Isles  where  color  stays, 
And  where  the  burnished  stroke  of  days 
Rings  on  the  gilded  globe  of  Sun 
The  echo  of  his  numbers  done: 
We  are  the  Isles  where  sonnets  gleam 
Down  in  the  darkness  of  the  stream, 
And  while  the  Stars  enchanted  sing 
Sonnets  flash  up  in  answering. 

O  Islands  in  the  Purple  Sea 

Fear  not  to  drift  on  any  shore, 
Nor  ever  fear  exquisitely 

Thy  Songs  shall  fade,  and  sound  no  more : 
Where  would  the  eager  lips  of  Day 

Ope  in  the  morn,  and  where  would  rhyme 
Beat  its  delicious  roundelay 

By  any  shores,  if  not  on  thine? 

Where  would  the  tired   Stars  alight 

From  the  vast  plains  they're  flying  through, 
And,  weary-winged,  rest  when  the  Night 


48  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

Slips  out  beyond  themselves  and  you? 
Couch  of  the  Moon,  and  dream  of  Star, 

O  Isles  where  all  the  World  can  rest, 
And  all  that  journey  by  you  are 

With  secret  of  your  parting  blest. 

Ye  are  but  magnets  in  the  air 
Polished  by  glory  of  the  Sun, 

Swung  o'er  the  Seas,  ye  islands  fair, 
To  draw  the  eyes  the  Seas  upon: 
To  tempt  the  heart  of  all  the  shore 
Out  into  your  uncertain  tide, 

And  lead  all  love  that  went  before 
Still  on,  and  gather  more  beside. 

We  are  the  Isles  where  Music  lies 

Almost  unstrung,  so  very  low 
Languish  impulsive  harmonies 

Into  the  faintest  sounds  they  know: 
Where  something  keeps  the  strings  apart, 

And  all  the  passion  playing  there 
Is  timid,  that  the  very  heart 

Of  Love  lies  beating  on  the  air! 

We  are  the  Isles — not  very  far — 

Look  on  our  bosoms  bared  for  thee, 
Come,  see  our  willing  footsteps  are 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  49 

Imprinted  pleading  in  the  Sea; 
We  watch  the  clouds  that  keep  the  shore, 

And  sing  the  little  sails  afloat, 
And  believing  draw  the  shallops  o'er 

Incessant,  with  our  silvery  note. 

Shine  on,  ye  Stars,  but  always  know 
Sea-Isles  are  waiting  here  below; 
Ye  ply  the  paths  of  Heaven,  and  we 
Hold  something  shining  in  the  Sea, 
In  Heaven  whenever  you  shall  pass 
We  keep  your  journey  in  the  glass, 
Leagues  of  the  Sea  you  come  and  go, 
And  all  your  wanderings  will  we  know. 

With  arms  entwined  from  shore  to  shore 

We  glide,  and  singularly  pour 

Mysterious  passion  of  our  Song 

On  Souls  that  unto  us  belong; 

We  signal,  piercing  to  the  eyes, 

And  eagerly  the  helmsman  plies 

His  circles  that  shall  sweep  him  near, 

And  traffics  swiftly  over  here. 

Lost  to  the  land,  forever  gone, 
Never  returned  is  anyone; 
And  if  their  eyes  shall  ever  be 


50  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

With  Stars  reflecting  in  the  Sea— 

And  if  their  eyes  shall  ever  gaze 

In  Heaven,  where  still  the  starlight  plays- 

And  if  their  eyes  should  then  forget, 

And  vanish  unforgotten,  yet 

Still  on  their  lips  would  lingering  be 

The  Songs  they  heard  in  Isles  of  Sea. 

We  are  the  Isles  of  Sea,  and  twine 
Our  passion  into  words  divine — 
And  still  the  Stars  look  on  and  shine. 


VOX  HUMANA 


Chanting  by  the  sunset, 

Singing  in  the  dawn, 
Playing  through  the  Heavens 

While  the  sails  blow  on, 
Dipping  in  the  amethyst 

Effusions  of  the  sky 
The  temper  of  our  instruments 

As  close  the  shades  go  by; 
Striking  from  the  gentled  chords 

Every  bewildering  note 
That  haunted  all  the  happy  sounds 


SONGS  OF  THE  STARS  51 

That  every  Poet  wrote, 
Watching  the  clouds  caught  in  the  strings 

Break  into  melody, 
And  scatter  through  the  atmosphere, 

And  drop  into  the  Sea; 
Floating  the  music  up  and  down 

Where  every  ripple  blows, 
We  are  the  Singers  of  the  air, 

And  watch  it  where  it  goes. 
We  see  it  tangle  in  the  Stars 

And  die  into  the  night, 
And  hear  the  laughter  of  the  Souls 

Who  passed  it  in  delight, 
We  see  them  stop,  as,  one  by  one, 

They  turn,  listening  again, 
And  hear,  bearing  our  strings  away, 

Their  anxious  sighs  of  pain: 
We  sow  the  secret  of  our  Songs 

Far  out  into  the  Sky, 
And  eagerly  the  blossoms  blow 

About  the  country  high, 
And  we,  inclined  upon  the  Winds, 

Chant  in  the  scented  air, 
And  all  the  World  is  still  to  catch 

The  hidden  Singers  there. 


52  SONGS  OF  THE  STARS 

THE  VANISHED  SONG 

Idly  afloat  on  Seas  of  Rhyme, 

With  sails  in  slumber  on  the  air, 
And  eyes  that  watch  the  careless  time 

Beating  monotonously  there, 
Silent,  alone  on  a  lost  Sea, 

Far  from  the  Sun,  afar  from  Shore, 
And  far  from  Stars  that  dimly  be 

Still  far  from  where  the  Stars  are  more. 

Forever  lulled,  forever  heard 

The  sounds  that  colors  bring  the  Wave, 
Forever  waiting,  never  word 

From  me,  for  everything  they  gave, 
Doomed  into  silence,  undismayed 

Indulgence  from  the  helpless  Seas 
To  fathom,  and  to  see  betrayed 

Secrets  to  scatter  when  I  please. 
Shall  I  return,  and  Music  bring? 

Deceive  the  wandering  Stars  and  steal 
Back  while  their  lips  enchanted  ring, 

And  in  the  Sun  their  Songs  reveal?— 
When  I  go  back,  if  in  my  eyes 

The  Songs  of  Stars  are  hovering, 
They  fall  unspoken,  and  there  lies 

Silence  on  me,  although  they  sing. 


